Springfield Navy Rolling Block

[jon_norstog]

I was in Boise the other day, had to go to Cabelas. They have a "gun vault" with all kinds of unusual firearms. One of them was a Springfield Armory Rolling Block in 50-70. It was a beater, with big chunks taken out of the wood, plus it looked like it had been cut down to me. Weren't they supposed to have like a 36" barrel? And a bayonet lug? This one had neither.

$499. Is it woth the $$? I've got to go through Boise again on Wednesday.

jn

[Bob S]

Not certain on the barrel length, I'll measure mine later tonight. The Navy rifles had sword bayonets, but when the rifles were obsolete and "surplussed", a lot of the dealers removed the bayonet lug so that the rifle would take the more readily available triangular blade socket bayonet. The first one of these that I owned was one of those with the lug removed .... I now own one with the original baynonet lug still onboard.

Value ... I don't know. My personal opinion, if I can't shoot it, I probably wouldn't want it. Your description sounds like a basket case from a "collectability" standpoint, but if it's "shooter" it might be worthwhile. The groove diameters on these tend to run big. The one I currently own is .518".

Cabella's is not known for "bargains".

Resp'y,
Bob S.

[JBinIll]

The Navy model should have a 32 5/8 inch barrel. The Army models will have 36 inch barrels.Keep in mind a good action for building into a sporter will bring $300 or so.

Bob S-I thought the NYS models were the only ones with the .518 groove diameter?A few weeks ago an Ideal mold in that diameter sold on e-bay.Went for more than I wanted to pay not having a .50 in that diameter to use it in.

[Dick Hosmer]

Looks like someone bought it - couldn't find the listing just now.

Do you recall the location of the rear sight? Those (the first 10,000) having it right above the chamber - especially with full Navy proofs (and the bayonet lug, of course) are fairly uncommon, if not scarce/rare. The (12,000) replacement guns, which are far more often seen, have it about 3" ahead of the receiver.

Cabela's used to have some bargains, because they were (in some cases still are) pretty ignorant as to antiques - now they seem to have attempted to cure that by overpricing anything that is old. I don't even look there any more. My one visit to a Cabela's (Reno NV) was SO negative that I will likely never be back. Snotty attitude in the "gun library", and totally clueless clerks throughout the store (the Walmart of the firearms world, run 110% by bean-counters).

[da gimp]

if you're ever in the area, try the Cabella's in KCK near the new big racetrack, had a very enjoyable trip to their Gun Library, was treated with courtesy & respect by knowledgeable staff who traded with us fairly........

[jon_norstog]

I stopped in again on my way home from the Coast. The rifle was still there, so I took it out and took a better look. It has an 1870 date below the eagle on the receiver and a "E?A" cartouche. The action is pretty tight and the whole weapon is covered with a brownis-plum rust patina. Kind of attractive. you can see the ghosts of the rifling lands.

The sight is in the usual place for a RB, a few inches forward. The wood is original and looks like a lot of the dents could be soaked out.


While I was on the coast I stopped in an instrument repair shop and found a really cherry 190X-vintage Holton shepherd's crook cornet. Richly silver plated, profusely engraved. Including engraving for an Indian Volunteer Infrantry regiment, I forget which one. $375. I played the horn a bit, then whipped out my credit card, which the proprietor would not take.

I didn't have time to scrape up cash. I may go back in a few weeks. That cornet really played sweet. So that's where the gun money is going to go this month.

jn

[Dick Hosmer]

Jon, any idea why I cannot find it on Cabela's website? And, are you SURE it is the Navy model?

[jon_norstog]

Dick,

I assumed it was a Navy rifle. The tag may have indicated that as well. What I did not see was "U.S.N." anywhere on it. What else could it be? It looks like about a $1,200 job to "restore," assuming you could get the right stock hardware.

jn


PS: I checked the gun library web site for Boise and yeah, it's not listed. There was a remington Hepburn in the rack next to it, also unlisted. And next to that some kind of Steyr that bore a superficial resemblance to a martini ... not listed. I'll take another look next time I'm in Boise ... that piece didn't speak to me, it went .. woof woof!

[Doug Rammel]

This is the Army version

[Dick Hosmer]

Well, since you refer to "1870", there IS another possibility - perhaps it is one of the 1000 rifles issued for the 1870 trials? I have not photographed my specimen yet for my website , though it is in my book; but it would look very similar to the Army model, except that it would just have the eagle and US (NOT USN) and 1870 on the right side, and nothing on the left. Also, it would NOT have the goofy "locking" action. Barrel would be 36", and would never have had a bayonet lug. Tip is the "normal" distance from the muzzle, rather than notably further back like the Navies.